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Satellite orbit the Earth at different altitudes. A good overview of Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit can be found here: http://www.idirect.net/Company/Satellite-Basics/How-Satellite-Works.aspx
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoGravity holds satellites in orbit.
An orbit is by definition a fall. However, the satellite is moving so fast that the Earth falls away from the satellite as it falls to Earth. That's how they orbit.
Another way to think of it is that the tendency of the satellite to escape orbit
because of its velocity (sometimes thought of as a "centrifugal force") is balanced by Earth's gravity.
Things have a tendency to move in straight lines (because of "inertia") in the absence of forces like gravity.
The combination of inertia and gravity produces an orbit.
A lot of satellites do fall back to Earth, eventually. Slight frictional forces slow down the orbital speed of all satellites.
The drag of the (thin at that level) atmosphere is usually the main cause of "orbital decay".
The reason they stay in orbit so long is because of their elevation and speed.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agothey move because of the earths gravitational pull just like the moon around us and us around the sun
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoWiki User
∙ 14y agothe atmosphere of gravity pulls it.
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What is the inclination of a satellite to the earths equator?
There is no set inclination of a satellites orbit to the earth's equator. Once in space, the spin of the earth or where it's poles happen to be become irrelevant to the satellite. Many satellites like spy and weather satellites orbit over the two poles (north and south) while communication satellites are placed in orbit directly above the equator at a height that is synchronised with the earth's orbit. This way they stay permanently above the same place on the equator and do not APPEAR to move at all.
What kind of satellites orbit the earth?
communication satellites, astronomy, navigation, etc.
The satellites of Uranus revolve around the planet in planes almost what to its orbit?
The satellites of Uranus revolve around the planet in planes almost perpendicular to its orbit.
Is the geosynchronous satellites above the equator is follow an elliptical orbit?
All satellites follow an elliptical orbit - they are darn close to circular, but even a circle is an ellipse.
How many GPS Satellites does the US Deptartment of Defense have?
There are currently 30 healthy GPS satellites in orbit.
Where do communications satellites orbit?
Communication satellites orbit around the Earth.Communication satellites orbit around the Earth.Communication satellites orbit around the Earth.Communication satellites orbit around the Earth.
How do satellites move?
A Satellite movement behaves in two ways. Its orbit may be defined either as "geosynchronous" or "geostationary". Geosynchronous satellites move together with the Earth's own orbit, so it revolves in the same way as the earth is. Geostationary satellites remain statically in place for a certain coordinate...
How do communication satellites get into orbit?
Communication satellites are lifted into orbit by rockets.
How many satellites orbit the US?
Satellites cannot orbit the US; they orbit the Earth, and there are several thousand of them.
Does dbs also known as direct broadcast satellite such as directv and dishtv orbit in a geosynchronous orbit?
Yes, the satellites orbit in a geosynchronous orbit, as with most all communications satellites. (Some exceptions are satellites such as the global positioning satellites.)
What is the tv satellites orbit called?
The tv satellites orbit called is a geo stationery.
What is the name of the orbit that allows satellites to orbit the earth but yet appear stationary?
The Earth orbit in which satellites appear to be stationary is called the, "Geostationary Orbit". Some call it a synchronous orbit.
What orbit are monitoring satellites put into?
Polar orbit
How many satellites orbit Saturn?
there is no satellites orbiting Saturn
Some satellites are put into an orbit around the earths poles what is this type of orbit called?
Circum polar satellites.
Do all space satellites stay in the thermosphere?
No. That only applies to low Earth orbit. Geostationary satellites orbit beyond it.
What are the name of satellites of planet venus?
there are none
